The File on… Grace O’Malley

Grace O’Malley, the Irish Pirate Queen of the 16th century, is one of the most enigmatic characters of naval history. The „Celtic Witch“ was a dauntless captain who struck terror into the hearts of English merchant sailors and fought for her personal freedom and the freedom of her clan.

Beautiful Grace O’Malley was married off when still a young girl and gave birth to four children. After her husband’s death she took a lover. Then she got married a second time, but she turned out her husband after just one year. She quickly acquired a reputation as a fearless, courageous fighter, a rebel who put her life on the line. She was one of the few chieftains to realize that the clans’ only chance to prevail over the detested English occupying forces was to stand together. Heading a bunch of desperate Irishmen, her head held high, she stepped in front of Elisabeth I, Queen of England, to claim her rights as a „queen“ in her own right! Grace O’Malley’s life of adventure has given rise to many legends, and to this day the Pirate Queen remains one of Ireland’s great heroines – a woman who held her own in a man’s world four hundred years ago.

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Ulrike Gerold

Born in Hanover in 1956, Ulrike Gerold studied German, theatre arts and art history in Berlin. After working as literary and artistic director for several theatres, she became a freelance journalist in 1993, specializing in culture, science and travel writing. She has written non-fiction books and travel accounts.

Wolfram Hänel

Wolfram Hänel was born in Fulda in 1956. After studying German and English in Berlin, he worked as a copywriter and poster artist, as well as literary and artistic director. Since 1987 he has written a number of plays, as well as books for children and young readers, reaping numerous awards along the way. He lives in Hanover with Ulrike Gerold.

Daniela Kirchlechner

Daniela Kirchlechner studied graphic design in Berlin and in Vienna and works as a creative director for customers in Germany and abroad. Jacoby & Stuart have already published her picture book "Die Abenteuer des Ritters Gawain" as well as the cookbook "Im Reich der Schokolade". Daniela Kirchlechner lives in Berlin, with her husband and her son.